Samoa

Samoa has long been a strategic stronghold and has endured occupation by Britain, the United States, Germany and New Zealand. In 1962, what was then called Western Samoa, became the first small-island country in the Pacific to gain independence. Now officially Samoa, the country faces economic difficulties with a dependency on aid and tourism. In 2011 the country moved west of the International Date Line by skipping December 30 and moving from 21 hours behind Australia, to 3 hours ahead, in attempt to boost its economy with their major trading partners – Australia and New Zealand. With 53% of the population under the age of 24, lack of employment opportunities mean that 16% of the population are unemployed leaving Samoa with the world’s 8^th highest rate of emigration.

The Marist Brothers have a long tradition of education in Samoa, arriving in 1845 and opening their first school in 1871. Despite leaving temporarily six years later the Marists returned in 1888 and have been present since. Education in Samoa is intrinsically linked with the Marist Brothers. Since Samoa gained independence in 1962, every Prime Minister except one has received a Marist education, with many old boys playing a crucial role in paving the way for independence. Today, Marist Brothers Primary School and St Joseph’s High School continue to educate and develop the future generations of Samoa in the tradition of St Marcellin.